ICE Concerns Create Workforce Disruptions In Cattle Industry

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays looks at how recent concerns surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Kansas have disrupted the cattle processing workforce and created uncertainty across the beef industry.

Hays says the issue gained attention last week after reports began circulating about possible ICE activity at one or more fed cattle packing plants in Kansas.

Citing reporting from Cassie Fish of The Beef Read, Hays says the initial reports were largely based on rumors and social media posts, with no official information available at the time. By Thursday, however, Fish reported that the situation had begun affecting cattle processing in Kansas.

Hays says worker absenteeism caused by the ICE presence sharply reduced slaughter numbers. Tuesday slaughter was reported at about 100,000 head, compared with 105,000 head estimated by USDA for Tuesday and an estimated 106,000 to 108,000 head based on packer profitability. Wednesday was even lower, with slaughter reported at 94,000 head, about 16,000 head below the scheduled level.

Hays says the disruption prompted the Kansas Livestock Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association to issue a joint statement calling for greater transparency from the federal government.

The groups said they respect the responsibility of federal agencies to enforce the law but also emphasized the importance of a stable workforce for livestock businesses.

Hays says cattle producers, feedyards, dairies, livestock markets and processors depend on workers to care for animals, maintain food safety and keep the supply chain operating. Sudden workforce disruptions can create animal welfare, operational and economic consequences that extend beyond an individual business.

Hays says one of the biggest concerns for the cattle industry is the effect that ICE activity and the surrounding uncertainty could have on legal, documented workers.

He says the fear surrounding possible enforcement actions has already contributed to absenteeism and disruptions at Kansas packing plants. Hays also notes that disruptions in processing could eventually affect consumers through higher beef prices.

While the concerns have been centered primarily in Kansas, Hays says Oklahoma’s livestock industry is watching the situation closely.

Hays says Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur reported that she was not aware of any raids or worker arrests at Oklahoma Livestock or processing facilities 

Arthur’s conversations with Oklahoma processing plants, feedlots and dairies have focused on making sure businesses have their paperwork in order, and Hays says she anticipates no problems in the state based on those conversations.

Hays also says Arthur has been in contact with her counterpart in Georgia, where ICE has reportedly been making contact with poultry processors, although those interactions have been described as more of a “touching base” effort.

Hays says the situation has also prompted clarification from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the former Oklahoma senator. According to Hays, Mullin has said ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas.

Mullin is quoted saying, “ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas. ICE law enforcement has conducted operations targeting heinous criminals including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers and illegal aliens with final orders of removal.”

— DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin

For the cattle industry, however, Hays says the combination of uncertainty, fear and worker absenteeism has already had an impact on cattle processing and the broader beef supply chain.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR above for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

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